the slack diaries

The Great Glass Bead Game

Sat, 19 May 2012 10:03:12 -0400

Image: Simon Bruntnell

13 June – 30 June The Great Glass Bead Game

Slack Space

Victoria Place Colchester CO1 1LR

Bubbles and beads.

Cast, flame and blown glass work

Glass sculpture

Fused, vitreous and iridescent. Mirrors, minerals, web and wire

Wall mounted

Ice, light, clear

Space marbles, glass peacocks, spiders webs and life size men

Beads of sweat, tears

Pure and impure

An exhibition of glass work and imagination featuring work from:

Red Flower Glass

Carola Smedjebacka

Liz Wotton

Dominique Hodges

Jean Muir

Ellison Art Glass

Carol Hennahane

Jane Ostler

Claudia Uller

Steam Punk Glass

Caroline Moiret

Dorian Kelly

Stained Glass work from Adult Community Learning group led by Carol Hennahane

The Colchester Glass bead!

From 13 – 30 June 2012 Slack Space presents a very special exhibition ‘The Great Glass Bead Game!’ This exhibition is part of Colchester Carnival and Sparks Will Fly, the official Essex Cultural Olympiad event, and features some very exciting activity!

In May a 12ft high champion Marina (a stilted performer and chariot) arrives on a sail barge to Harwich. She is met by local dignitaries and others. The Champion is here to play ‘The Game’ and must collect 12 giant glass beads from across Essex. A few days later another Champion, Boris, arrives via Stansted Airport and is greeted with the full state welcome! Boris too is here to collect glass beads and play ‘The Game’. For the next month the two Champions go all over Essex, never meeting each other, joining in a big event in each town and finding beads. Each time they visit a town they grow bigger and by the time they get to Colchester they are 12 foot high!

The finale date is Hylands Park Chelmsford on July 6th when the two Champions meet and battle it out in ‘The Game,’ accompanied by a spectacular fire show. This finale event also celebrates the arrival of the Olympic Torch in Chelmsford.

The puppet Marina will arrive in Colchester on 30 June, Carnival day, to find the Colchester glass bead!

The Great Glass Bead Game - call for artists

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 13:36:48 -0400

Call for artists and makers in glass work:

Dear friends,

Please see below of ran exciting opportunity for local artists and makers who work in and with glass. 2 or 3D submissions are welcome as are any unusual or creative interpretations of the theme. Please e mail details of your submission to colchesterslackers@googlemail.com by 1 May 2012. Please entitle your submission ‘The Great Glass Bead Game’

13 June – 30 June The Great Glass Bead Game

Slack Space

Victoria Place Colchester CO1 1LR

From 13 – 30 June 2012 Slack Space presents a very special exhibition ‘The Great Glass Bead Game!’ This exhibition is part of Sparks Will Fly, the official Essex Cultural Olympiad event, and features some very exciting activity!

The puppet Marina will arrive in Colchester on 30 June to find the Colchester glass bead!

Slack Space latest news

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 08:57:16 -0500

Slack Space Third Birthday Party and Exhibition Private View

The Pigeon-hole Project

Slack Space regional Empty Shops conference – ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT TO BOOK

Culpable Earth – firstsite late night opening

Call for artists – Alchemy 2

Slack Space Third Birthday Party and Exhibition Private View

We are hugely proud that Slack Space Colchester has reached its third year. It’s our birthday!. We are celebrating this not only by presenting an important regional conference on empty shops on 17th March (see next entry) but also with a party and private view of our new exhibition “FROM BARSHAM TO ALBION” A retrospective and joyous celebration of the seminal East Anglian Fairs of the 70s and 80s and its legacy, in an archive exhibition of poster art, photographs film, music and reminiscence.

The party / Private view will run from 7.00- 11.00 pm or later on Saturday 10th March. We will be showing some special documentary films, with musical and street theatre offerings from the period. A variety of musicians and performers (to be announced) which will include a real psychedelic band. Illuminati ( that’s Dorian) will do a bit of his world famous (but somewhat dated) psychedelic light show ( if he can find enough kit and borrow some overhead projectors). Mulled wine and some Veggie chilli and rice will hopefully be available, otherwise bring your own drink and make an evening of it!

The event is preceded from 2.00 pm by a the regular “Slack Folk” , an open mic show for local folk based performers. Potential performers are welcome but must book a slot at colchesterslackers@gmail.com )

THE EXHIBITION “From Barsham to Albion” which will also include the notorious Weeley 1971 festival, runs from the 7th March to 24th March. It is open from Wednesdays to Saturdays from 11.00-6.00 pm at Slack Space, Victoria Place, Eld Lane, Colchester.

The Pigeon-hole Project

In the new Slack Space ‘Long Gallery’ near the Post Room, there is a bank of delightful old wooden pigeon-holes.

As part of the Slack Space 3rd Birthday celebrations we are inviting artists to make a piece of 3D art/sculpture to fit into these boxes on a semi-permanent basis.

Each box measures approximately: 35cm wide x 25cm high x 38cm deep.

Paula MacGregor is the lead artist for this project, please address any questions to her at: colchesterslackers@googlemail.com labelled ‘Pigeon-hole project’

Slack Space regional Empty Shops conference – ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT TO BOOK

Transforming spaces – Arts use of empty shops and other disused spaces

Saturday 17 March 2012 9.30am – 5.15pm @ firstsite, Colchester

Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester, Essex CO1 1JH

£32.40 incl. VAT, lunch and two refreshment breaks

A Regional conference hosted by UK premier Empty Shop organisation Slack Space Colchester, in partnership with firstsite. The event will look at working in empty shops and other disused spaces and will combine an interactive focus on case studies and success stories with practical advice and contextual understanding.

Outline of day:

9.30 Arrivals. Refreshments available to purchase at firstsite restaurant

10.00 Abigail Cheverst (Slack Space) ‘Working in empty shops – possibilities, challenges and opportunities’

10.30 Michaela Freeman (Artside) ‘Artside - curating in the public space’

11.00 Amy McKenny (Tap) ‘TAP – running an artist led studio / gallery space’

11.30 Refreshments (provided)

11.50 Breakouts

12.15 Kayte Judge (We are Bedford) ‘We are Bedford’ – case study’

12.45 Chris Clarke (Slack Space) ‘Slack Space – case study’

1.15 Lunch (provided) with performance from popular folk band The Medlars

2.00 The coalface slots – a series of short presentations from working artists on what empty shops activity has meant for them

2.30 Eddie Bridgeman (Meanwhile Space) ‘New spaces, new ways of working - the meanwhile lease, development trusts and other solutions’

3.00 Dan Thompson (Empty Shops Network) ‘The big picture – presenting the results of a National research and evidence gathering project on disused space activity in the UK’

3.30 Refreshments (provided)

3.50 Breakouts

4.15 3Space presentation

4.30 Plenary / panel discussion – ‘Empty shops, disused spaces – the potential, the pitfalls and where we go next.’ The results of this plenary will be fed into the Empty shops Network National conference taking place later in the year

5.15 Close

Refreshments available to purchase at firstsite restaurant

Tour of Slack Space Colchester (optional)

All delegates will receive a copy of the Slack Space Manual and the Empty Shops Toolkit

Partner profile:

Slack Space is one of the premier ‘empty shop’ organisations in the UK and has been successfully putting art and performance into empty shops for over two and a half years

firstsite is a contemporary visual arts organisation based in Colchester with a mission to make contemporary art relevant to everyone.

Artside is a CoExist project featuring two weeks of art and interventions in Southend High Street with artists working directly with venues to create site-led work.

TAP is housed within a converted water works. Currently it houses CoExist Galleries and Studios, The White Bus, MEET, Solug and Open Arts.

We are Bedford is a community collective. The group put on the Castle Quay Weekender in March 2011, an arts festival in 7 empty shops, and run various other successful community events.

Meanwhile Space is led by the Development Trusts Association as part of the Advancing Assets programme, with support from the Dept. of Communities and Local Government.

Empty Shops Network is the National Network for organisations and individuals working in empty shops and other disused spaces.

3Space offer a brokerage service between landlords / developers with empty space and charities or other organisations wishing to use that space.

Culpable Earth – firstsite late night opening

Friday 16 March, 7 – 11pm

Special evening event with live music from the Grubby Mitts in the Learning spaces and hands-on creative activities in the Mosaic space, including beeswax candle rolling, bell ringing, and leather stitching

The evening ends with a display of fire-swinging in firstsite’s D-shaped garden!

A selection of Culpable Earth artist Steven Claydon’s short films will play in the auditorium throughout the evening.

Free; just drop in.

Call for artists – Alchemy 2

WANTED: Artwork for the ALCHEMY 2 exhibition. The exhibition is again all about found objects and recycled materials, but with an added interest this year – the theme of Bottles, Books and Boxes.

We are looking for some very special artwork that fits in with these criteria. The exhibition is 7 weeks away (starting 18 April) – You have just 4 weeks left to register your interest and get your pictures and proposals in to us at colchesterslackers@googlemail.com under the heading of ALCHEMY 2.

New Slack Space exhibition From Barsham to Albion 7 March – 24 March Open Wed – Sat 11am – 6pm...

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 09:00:59 -0500

New Slack Space exhibition

From Barsham to Albion

7 March – 24 March

Open Wed – Sat 11am – 6pm

Colchester Slack Space, the pioneering empty shops artists collective, is thrilled to have secured the entire archive of the seminal and pioneering East Anglian Albion Fair movement of the 70’s and 80’s for an exhibition at Slack Spaces’ new premises in Victoria Place, Eld Lane from 7th March to 24th March.

The exhibition, which is of national importance, is a retrospective and joyful celebration of the legendary Albion Fairs . It is collection of beautiful and iconic posters, photographs, films and assorted memorabilia from the fairs, including the ultimate monthly newspaper of alternative East Anglia, the Waveney Clarion. It will evoke memories for those who were there and will explain the magic and significance of the fairs to those who missed them. Their spirit of creativity, play and environmentalism was ahead of its time and has left a legacy today, not least in the Glastonbury and Latitude festivals. which were directly inspired by the Moon Fair, the Earth , Fire and Rainbow Fairs at East Bergholt, and of course the Rougham Tree Fairs.

Comfort was far from the norm (ask anyone who attended an Albion Fair about the infamous “long drop” toilets!), the music was sometimes dodgy, there were often far more naked people than one really wanted to encounter at the water standpipes in the morning, but the real ale and the vegan food was always plentiful and in an era when Mrs Thatcher was teaching us all to think of “me, me, me” and where riots had become a common occurrence in the major cities, there was something quite special in being part of several thousand people gathering together in our little corner of rural England to live for a weekend in peace, love and harmony …… yeah man!

Sadly, the festival movement was a mirror of the times. The relative tolerance of a “free festival culture ” by government in the late seventies and very early eighties had given way to a far more repressive regime . The “Peace Convoys” -which were anything but peaceful - , had became very prevalent, with their hard drug acid-punk culture, and antisocial behavior, culminating in the notorious “Battle of The Beanfields” near Stonehenge. Free festivals could no longer flourish due to the new public order acts which banned gatherings on public land, and The Albion Fairs were no more.

THE EXHIBITION RUNS From the 7th March to 24th March. It is open from Wednesdays to Saturdays from 11.00-6.00 pm at Slack Space, Victoria Place, Eld Lane, Colchester.

There will be a viewing / celebration from 6.00- 10.00 pm on Saturday 10th March. We will be showing some special documentary films, with musical and street theatre offerings from the period.

Mulled wine available, otherwise bring your own drink and make an evening of it!

It is preceded from 2.00 pm by a special edition of “Slack Folk” , an open mic show for local folk based performers can show what they can do (potential performers must book a slot at colchesterslackers@gmail.com)

New Slack Space exhibition From Barsham to Albion 7 March – 24 March Open Wed – Sat 11am – 6pm...

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 08:59:59 -0500

New Slack Space exhibition

From Barsham to Albion

7 March – 24 March

Open Wed – Sat 11am – 6pm

THE EXHIBITION RUNS From the 7th March to 24th March. It is open from Wednesdays to Saturdays from 11.00-6.00 pm at Slack Space, Victoria Place, Eld Lane, Colchester.

There will be a viewing / celebration from 6.00- 10.00 pm on Saturday 10th March. We will be showing some special documentary films, with musical and street theatre offerings from the period.

Mulled wine available, otherwise bring your own drink and make an evening of it!

Slack Space Open 5

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:34:17 -0500

Slack Space is pleased to announce the second exhibition at it’s brand new property in Victoria Place, Colchester. ‘Open 5’ is the next in the series of Slack Space Open shows which are designed to showcase the work of up and coming artists in the area. This show features some superb and interesting work and is well worth a visit!

Slack Space Open 5 includes work from:
christian hauth
simon jones
claire adams
richard hughes
daphne dorney
hannah wallace
pawel wargan
elena dragomir
eloise mcfadden
tom webster
nevina williams
gemma theobald
abbie smith
patryk w
abbey potter
michael checketts
andy stevens
mel belton
eve whittington
ian stacey
abby taylor
amanda brown
storm waller
chris cook
terence jenkins
dannielle warwick
andy king

Slack Space Regional conference

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 10:26:30 -0500

Transforming spaces – Arts use of empty shops and other disused spaces

Saturday 17 March 2012 9.30am – 5.15pm @ firstsite, Colchester

Lewis Gardens, High Street, Colchester, Essex CO1 1JH

£32.40 incl. VAT, lunch and two refreshment breaks. 50 free places available! (see booking form for further details)

To book your place at this exciting event please visit

http://www.firstsite.uk.net/page/conference-transforming-spaces

This event is suitable for:

Artists

Community groups

Arts and regeneration professionals

Landlords and developers

Outline of day:

9.30 Arrivals. Refreshments available to purchase at firstsite restaurant

10.00 Abigail Cheverst (Slack Space) ‘Working in empty shops – possibilities, challenges and opportunities’

10.30 Michaela Freeman (Artside) ‘Artside - curating in the public space’

11.00 Amy McKenny (Tap) ‘TAP – running an artist led studio / gallery space’

11.30 Refreshments (provided)

11.50 Breakouts

12.15 Kayte Judge (We are Bedford) ‘We are Bedford’ – case study’

12.45 Chris Clarke (Slack Space) ‘Slack Space – case study’

1.15 Lunch (provided) with performance from popular folk band The Medlars

2.00 The coalface slots – a series of short presentations from working artists on what empty shops activity has meant for them

2.30 Eddie Bridgeman (Meanwhile Space) ‘New spaces, new ways of working - the meanwhile lease, development trusts and other solutions’

3.00 Dan Thompson (Empty Shops Network) ‘The big picture – presenting the results of a National research and evidence gathering project on disused space activity in the UK’

3.30 Refreshments (provided)

3.50 Breakouts

4.15 3Space presentation

5.15 Close

Refreshments available to purchase at firstsite restaurant

Tour of Slack Space Colchester (optional)

All delegates will receive a copy of the Slack Space Manual and the Empty Shops Toolkit

Partner profile:

Slack Space is one of the premier ‘empty shop’ organisations in the UK and has been successfully putting art and performance into empty shops for over two and a half years

firstsite is a contemporary visual arts organisation based in Colchester with a mission to make contemporary art relevant to everyone.

Artside is a CoExist project featuring two weeks of art and interventions in Southend High Street with artists working directly with venues to create site-led work.

TAP is housed within a converted water works. Currently it houses CoExist Galleries and Studios,The White Bus, MEET, Solug and Open Arts.

We are Bedford is a community collective. The group put on the Castle Quay Weekender in March 2011, an arts festival in 7 empty shops, and run various other successful community events.

Meanwhile Space is led by the Development Trusts Association as part of the Advancing Assets programme, with support from the Dept. of Communities and Local Government.

Empty Shops Network is the National Network for organisations and individuals working in empty shops and other disused spaces.

3Space offer a brokerage service between landlords / developers with empty space and charities or other organisations wishing to use that space.

RSA Colchester

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:57:32 -0500

You are invited to the next meeting of the Royal Society of the Arts Colchester which will be held at Slack Space Victoria Place CO1 1LR (off Eld Lane opposite the fudge shop) at 7pm on Wed 18 January.

The speaker will be Colchester Town Centre manager Howard Davies who will be making a presentation on Colchester Council’s ongoing regeneration programme in the St Botolph’s Quarter.

All welcome.

Slack Space has moved .....

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:47:30 -0500

Slack Space art auction

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 10:52:38 -0500

Dear friends,

We have great pleasure in inviting you to the FOURTH SLACK SPACE ART AUCTION which will take place at The Space, Queen St, Colchester CO1 2PQ on 4 Dec 2011.

If you haven’t started your Christmas shopping yet now is an ideal opportunity to purchase some unique and beautiful gifts! We’ve had a lovely selection of work donated so far and are sure this auction will be no disappointment!

Viewing will take place from 6pm and the auction starts from 7pm. At 9pm we have live music from The Golden Jackals and the usual eclectic Slack Space raffle! Refreshments will be available for donations or you can bring your own.

Slack Space art auctions are always great fun – whether you bid or not – but by supporting us, even if you only buy a couple of raffle tickets, you know you’ll be helping support a great cause! Slack Space is run by volunteers and receives no regular funding. So far, we have welcomed over 40,000 people into empty shops to celebrate art and performance. Help us to keep up the good work!

To view lots in advance please visit http://www.flickr.com/photos/colchesterslackers/sets/72157628146462905/

which will be updated regularly as new pieces are brought in.

To bid in advance please e mail colchesterslackers@googlemail.com

Thank you for your support!

Help Slack Space!

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:11:12 -0500

In this update – two ways you can help Slack Space! One involves you giving us something and the other us giving you something! Read on …..

Slack Space art auction

We are putting out the call again for works of art to be donated to the Slack Space December art auction. Response has been low so far but we do really need this auction to be a success as the bill in moving into the new property has been huge! Please e mail colchesterslackers@gmail.com if you are able to help. If you could respond by the end of the week that would be fab! PLEASE HELP SLACK SPACE AND HELP US MAKE THE NEW BUILDING A SUCCESS! Thank you

Paid marketing opportunity

Following a successful funding application to hold a regional ‘empty shop’

conference event in March 2012 Slack Space is looking for a marketing creative to write and deliver the marketing plan for the event. Please e mail colchesterslackers@googlemail.com for a copy of the marketing brief.

Interested parties should then write a short piece on how they see themselves meeting this brief and the successful applicant will be notified. The fee for this work is £750.

Slack Space update

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 08:56:42 -0500

New exhibition

Words and pictures, an exhibition of graphic illustration and typography will run from Nov 16 to De 01. This exhibition features work from Greg Blackman, Carl Seager, Lotte Kings, Oliver Gooch, Colchester Institute Graphic Media students, Emily Barrell, Jim Bidwell, Greyfriars Books, Stephanie Harland, Tony Smith, Tristan Howe and little hello.

New dates announced for Olympic Craft Challenge

To complement the Olympic Challenge of learning a number of different sports before the 2012 events are finished, Slack Space Colchester is running a similar Creative Challenge!

Local artists and craftspeople will share their expertise and offer over 20 free workshops up to August 2012. To give everyone a fair chance there will be a selection of daytime, evening and weekend workshops. You simply commit yourself to learning 5, 10 or even 20 new creative skills. To do this you would need to attend your choice of workshops to meet your personal commitment.

Each workshop will be offered free, successful participants will receive a coveted Creative Challenge Certificate issued by Slack Space and selected work will be exhibited at a special exhibition in August 2012 where we will celebrate with our own ‘Closing Ceremony’.

We challenge you to join with us and make this commitment!

The Slack Space Olympic Craft Club is curated by local artist Paula MacGregor

To register for this exciting event simply e mail colchesterslackers@googlemail.com stating how many crafts you are challenging yourself to learn!

Clare Sams

Knitted Baubles and Beyond

Friday November 18th

12.00-3.00

Anni Howard

Yule Time Yarns

Wednesday November 30^th

6.00-9.00

Paula MacGregor

Festive Decorations - Unusual Ideas

Thursday December 8^th

11.00-2.00

Kirsty Warren

Crochet Creatures - New Year Mascot

Saturday January 14^th

11.00-2.00

Liz Wotto

Collaborative Mosaic Making

Thursday January 26^th

11.00-2.00

Paula MacGregor

Creative Journalling -The Gratitude Attitude

Wednesday February 8th

6.00-9.00

Royal Society of the Arts Colchester

This month’s meeting on Wednesday 16 November 7.00 for 7.30 p.m. at Slack Space Colchester follows on from the Creative Colchester consultation meeting to be held on 11 November at firstsite.

The event follows an external consultant’s report on developing ‘Creative Colchester’ and is billed as an opportunity for the creative community of Colchester to comment and consult on plans, including the spending of a modest budget from the Haven Gateway Partnership.

We will hear reports from the meeting and discuss the issues raised and how these may affect the Town. Although we will start from where the consultation finished it is expected that we will be able to take this forward somewhat and so attendance is encouraged from anyone who has an interest in developing the cultural side of Colchester and its surrounding area.

The Creative Colchester documents are available here:

http://www.colchester.gov.uk/Info_page_two_pic_2_det.asp?art_id=13650&sec_id=4413

E mail gladys.jones@virgin.net to book your place.

Call for artists - Light and Dark

Slack Space is calling for submissions for ‘Light and Dark’ a themed show which will run from7 December – 24 December. Work can be of any media. The deadline for submissions is 16 November. To apply please send electronic images and details to colchesterslackers@googlemail.com

Slack Space @ Victoria Place - Opening party!!!

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:50:00 -0400

Slack Space @ Victoria Place
Opening party!!!
Saturday, 12 Nov 2011
6pm – 10pm
Victoria Place, Eld Lane, Colchester

Come and help us wet the baby’s head at Slack Space’s fantastic new 3 floor property in the heart of Colchester

Sneak preview!
Guided tours
Live music
Limited refreshments - Donations of refreshments gratefully accepted on the day!!

E mail colchesterslackers@googlemail.com for your invite

Victoria Place is here …..

Support Slack Space - donate a work of art to our December Art Auction

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 13:23:44 -0400

Slack Space is run completely by volunteers and receives no regular funding. We rely on public donations to be able to do all of the wonderful things we do - and to offer them all for free!

One of the most important ways we raise funds is through our 6 monthly art auctions. The next art auction will be held on 4 December (just in time for Christmas!) and we are appealing for generous donations of art work in order to make this the biggest and best art auction ever!

Slack Space are currently opening a second town centre property and this is an extremely expensive time for us. Please do consider helping us by donating a piece of art work which we can auction to raise much needed funds to cover the cost of opening this wonderful new property. Slack Space @ Victoria Place is a very exciting space with three floors of arts space and lots of very exciting potential!

If you can help then please e mail us on colchesterslackers@googlemail.com and we will arrange delivery of donated art works.

We would like to thank the community of Colchester for all it’s support and also for the kind support we have received form firstsite, Colchester Borough Council and East of England Co Op.

Slack Space newsletter 21 October 2011

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 06:25:02 -0400

Slack Space newsletter 21 October 2011

Upcoming exhibition – Open 4

Slack Space Olympic Craft Challenge

November mini fest

Other upcoming events

Call for artists – Graphic illustration and typography

Call for artists - Light and Dark

Upcoming exhibition – Open 4

The forth Slack space Open show will run from26 October – 12 November. Slack Space open shows feature the work of up and coming local artists who have not exhibited in the space before. Competition is stiff for these shows with over 70 submissions being made for only ten places!

Slack Space Open 4 will feature the work of:

Anthony Jones

Dahlia Ghassan

Jo Tidey

Khrystie Gardner

Matthew Ashurst

Rebekah Brown

Rowena Macaulay

Sara Napoletani

Sarah Sage

Sheila King

Triptych by Anthony Jones

Slack Space Olympic Craft Challenge

New dates announced for Slack Space Olympic Craft Challenge!

To complement the Olympic Challenge of learning a number of different sports before the 2012 events are finished, Slack Space Colchester is running a similar Creative Challenge! Local artists and craftspeople will share their expertise and offer over 20 free workshops up to August 2012. To give everyone a fair chance there will be a selection of daytime, evening and weekend workshops. You simply commit yourself to learning 5, 10 or even 20 new creative skills. To do this you would need to attend your choice of workshops to meet your personal commitment.

The Slack Space Olympic Craft Club is curated by local artist Paula MacGregor. To register for this exciting event simply e mail colchesterslackers@googlemail.com stating how many crafts you are challenging yourself to learn!

The Slack Space Olympic Craft Challenge will feature 2 free craft workshops a month. Dates already booked are given below but make sure you register to receive details of new workshops as they are booked.

Rachel Brown — Venetian Masks — Sat Oct 29 11.00-2.00

Paula MacGregor — Holy and Ivy Wreaths — Thur Nov 2nd 11.00-2.00

Lisa Gorrod — Sock Monsters — Sun Nov 6th 2.00-5.00

Clare Sams — Knitted Baubles and Beyond — Fri Nov 18 12.00-3.00

Annie Howard — Yule Time Yarns — Wed Nov 30 - 6.00-9.00

Paula MacGregor — Festive Decorations: unusual ideas for the table and gift wrapping — Thur Dec 8th 11.00-2.00

November mini fest

Thursday 3^rd Nov 7.30pm

Crate expectations

Dusty old tunes from wheel of Crate music

Friday 4^th Nov 7.30pm

Stanzamania: The Rematch

Follow on from Colchester Arts Centre Poetry Slam - spoken word night at Slack Space

Saturday 6^th Nov 7.30pm

Later @ Slack Space. Three bands three PA’s three hours of music.

Dingus Khan plus guests

Other upcoming events

Events at The Space, Queen St, Colchester:

Sat 29th October 2pm – 4pm

Slack Jazz

Bring an instrument and join in or just come and listen to the music!

Sun 13th Nov 3pm – 5pm

Wivenhoe Pantomime preview

Open rehearsal. All welcome!

EXHIBITION:

Wed 16th Nov – Sat 3rd Dec

Graphic illustration and typography

An open show featuring works of graphic illustration and typography

Wed 16th Nov 7pm – 9pm

RSA Colchester meeting

Invitation only. Please e mail gladys.jones@virgin.net for an invite

Thurs 17th Nov 6.30pm – 8pm

Recorder Orchestra

For further details about the orchestra contact Carla Brown carla.brown303@btinternet.com

Sat 19th Nov 2pm – 5pm

Teenage Kicks 2

An afternoon of entertainment from teenage bands and musicians

Sat 26th Nov 2pm – 4pm

Slack Jazz

Bring an instrument and join in or just come and listen to the music!

And don’t forget – every Friday is Piano Friday at The Space!

Events at Victoria Place, Eld Lane, Colchester:

Thur 27th Oct 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Souterrain

Accessible singing group run by Angela Dennis, Natural Voice Practitioner

Thur 10th Nov 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Souterrain

Accessible singing group run by Angela Dennis, Natural Voice Practitioner

Sat 12th Nov 2pm – 4pm

Slack Folk

Free and accessible afternoon folk club. Featuring The Medlars, Triangle, Tilly Roberts, Phil Lyons and The Larks

Sat 12th Nov 6pm – 10pm

Opening party!

Come and help us wet the baby’s head at Slack Space’s fantastic new property. Music and refreshments.

Thur 24th Nov 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Souterrain

Accessible singing group run by Angela Dennis, Natural Voice Practitioner

Call for artists – Graphic illustration and typography

Slack Space is calling for submissions for ‘Words and Pictures’ a graphic illustration and typography show which will run from 16 November – 3 December. The deadline for submissions is 2 November. To apply please send electronic images and details to colchesterslackers@googlemail.com

Call for artists - Light and Dark

All events and activities at Slack Space are free and accessible.

To unsubscribe please e mail colchesterslackers@googlemail.com

Slack Space Colchester

Fostered by Firstsite

Ground Floor, St James House, Queen St, Colchester CO1 2PQ

Open Wed to Sat 11 – 6

Diary and events: http://theslackdiaries.tumblr.com/

Blog –http://iheartslackspace.blogspot.com

Photos - http://www.flickr.com/photos/colchesterslackers

E mail - colchesterslackers@googlemail.com

Slack Space is a non profit making company limited by guarantee registered in England. Co no 7298471

New dates announced for Slack Space Olympic Craft Challenge

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:18:00 -0400

Slack Space Olympic Craft Challenge!

To complement the Olympic Challenge of learning a number of different sports before the 2012 events are finished, Slack Space Colchester is running a similar Creative Challenge!

We challenge you to join with us and make this commitment!

The Slack Space Olympic Craft Club is curated by local artist Paula MacGregor

To register for this exciting event simply e mail colchesterslackers@googlemail.com stating how many crafts you are challenging yourself to learn!

Paula MacGregor — Book binding – The Star Book — Oct 13 Thur 6.00-9.00
Rachel Brown — Venetian Masks — Oct 29 Sat 11.00-2.00
Paula MacGregor — Holy and Ivy Wreaths — Nov 2^nd Thur 11.00-2.00
Lisa Gorrod — Sock Monsters — Nov 6th sun 2.00-5.00
Clare Sams — Knited Baubles and Beyond — Nov 18 - fri 12.00-3.00
Annie Howard — Yule Time Yarns — Nov 30 - wed 6.00-9.00
Paula MacGregor — Festive Decorations - unusual ideas for the table and gift wrapping — Dec 8th 11.00-2.00

Two opportunities .....

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:06:05 -0400

Slack Space is Talking to Wivenhoe Community Radio about hosting a 2 hour / week program showcasing arts and community events in Colchester area. Initially the program would be recorded and broadcast via Internet Radio, although plans are afoot to obtain full community radio licenses for live broadcast. We are looking for an enthusiast to take this on. You would need to:

Plan shows (arts info, interviews, band slots etc.)

Collate info (although we would help with this)

Broadcast show (initially recorded but possibly later in the studio)

This opportunity would suit a local radio / media / arts enthusiast. If you are interested please e mail colchesterslackers@googlemail.com with details of your interest and any relevant experience you might have

____________________________________________________________________

Next Royal Society of the Arts meeting at Slack Space. Free event and all welcome but booking required colchesterslackers@googlemail.com

A Life of Crime – and don’t let them tell you what to think!

- how newspaper production and the community Essex County Newspapers served changed over half a century

Wed 19 October 7pm for 7.30pm

Derek Drew FRSA

Derek spent his life as a Crime Reporter for Essex Newspapers. Listen to his story and unique account of how the nature of the local press has changed over the years

Slack Space Olympic Craft Challenge!

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 09:42:28 -0400

To complement the Olympic Challenge of learning a number of different sports before the 2012 events are finished, Slack Space Colchester is running a similar Creative Challenge!

We challenge you to join with us and make this commitment!

The Slack Space Olympic Craft Club is curated by local artist Paula MacGregor

To register for this exciting event simply e mail colchesterslackers@googlemail.com stating how many crafts you are challenging yourself to learn!

Bookbinding workshop – star books

Thur Oct 13 6pm – 9pm

Paula MacGregor

Venetian Masks workshop

Sat Oct 29 11am – 2pm

Rachel Brown

Holly and Ivy Wreaths workshop

Wed Nov 2 11am – 2pm

Paula MacGregor

Festival decorations workshop

Wed Dec 7 11am – 2pm

Paula MacGregor

Collaborative mosaic workshop

Thur Jan 26 11am – 2pm

Liz Wotton

Slack Space newsletter 02 October 2011

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 06:50:00 -0400

Slack Space newsletter 02 October 2011

Slack Space Black History Month exhibition and events

Slack Space Olympic Craft Challenge

Other upcoming events

New Slack Space Town Centre property!

Call for artists - Open 4

Call for artists – Graphic illustration and typography

Call for artists - Light and Dark

World hopscotch record attempt

Keep Colchester accessible!

Slack Space Black History Month exhibition and events

From Wed 5^th Oct – Sat 22^nd Oct Slack Space is pleased to be working with the Colchester Black History Month (BHM) organising committee to present ‘One Drop’ a BHM exhibition exploring identity. From Wed 12^th Oct – Sat 15^th Oct this will be extended by the freestanding exhibition ‘Uganda or UK?’ This display of photographs and objects for hands-on interaction will appeal to parents and children, ages 6 to 14. A facilitator will be on-hand to provide guidance.

Supporting BHM events at Slack Space include:

Wed 5^th Oct 7.30pm

One Drop launch party

Special preview event to launch the Slack Space BLACK HISTORY MONTH program. Invite only. colchesterslackers@googlemail.com

OCTOBER MINI FEST:

Thur 6^th Oct 7.30pm

Black beat

An evening of African art and music

Fri 7^th Oct 7.30pm – 10.00pm

Caribbean Fusion

Saana Jay Dance Company Caribbean Fusion Dance Hall performance and workshop

Sat 8^th Oct 7.00pm

Salsa Party

An introduction to Salsa with qualified instructor and 3 local Salsa Dance Groups

Mon 17^th Oct 6pm - 9pm

Cicely’s Cakes

Caribbean cooking demonstration and tasting. Booking essential colchesterslackers@googlemail.com

Fri 21^st Oct 7.30pm – 9pm

Black History Month committee event

A gathering for BHM committee and guests. Music and refreshments with private viewing of exhibition and presentation. Invite only. colchesterslackers@googlemail.com

Sat 22^nd Oct 7.30pm

Wrap party

Presentation by Nardia Foster, author of ‘Out of Slavery, the history of Black British Caribbean people in the United Kingdom’. Refreshments and Caribbean buffet. Invite only. colchesterslackers@googlemail.com

Slack Space Olympic Craft Challenge

To complement the Olympic Challenge of learning a number of different sports before the 2012 events are finished, Slack Space Colchester is running a similar Creative Challenge!

We challenge you to join with us and make this commitment!

The Slack Space Olympic Craft Club is curated by local artist Paula MacGregor

To register for this exciting event simply e mail colchesterslackers@googlemail.com stating how many crafts you are challenging yourself to learn!

Bookbinding workshop – star books

Thur Oct 13 6pm – 9pm

Paula MacGregor

Venetian Masks workshop

Sat Oct 29 11am – 2pm

Rachel Brown

Holly and Ivy Wreaths workshop

Wed Nov 2 11am – 2pm

Paula MacGregor

Festival decorations workshop

Wed Dec 7 11am – 2pm

Paula MacGregor

Collaborative mosaic workshop

Thur Jan 26 11am – 2pm

Liz Wotton

Other upcoming events

Wed 5^th Oct 11am - 1pm

Adults craft club with local artist Paula MacGregor

Simple Gifts to Make and Share

Sat 8^th Oct 2pm – 4pm

Slack Folk

Free and accessible afternoon folk club. Featuring The Medlars, Gwendal Moele, Azucar and Motet

Wed 19^th Oct 7pm – 9pm

RSA Colchester meeting

Invitation only. Please e mail gladys.jones@virgin.net for an invite

Thurs 20^th Oct 6.30pm – 8pm

Recorder Orchestra

For further details about the orchestra contact Carla Brown carla.brown303@btinternet.com

Sat 22^nd Oct – Sat 29^th Oct

Free kids craft table

Unsupervised craft table with wide range of art and craft materials. Available throughout opening hours.

EXHIBITION:

Wed 26^th Oct – Sat 12^th Nov

Open 4

The forth Slack Space open show features work from local artists entered through our open submissions procedure

Sat 29^th October 2pm – 4pm

Slack Jazz

Bring an instrument and join in or just come and listen to the music!

New Slack Space Town Centre property!

Slack Space is about to open its second home! We are thrilled to be again working with East of England Co Op to open up a second town centre property. Our new venue in Victoria Place will run alongside the current ex Shoe World premises until Spring 2012 when we expect the Shoe World premises to close.

Victoria Place is a fantastic property with excellent exhibition and events space as well as rooms for meetings, workshops and other activities. See you there!

Current activities planned for Victoria Place are as follows:

Thur 27^th Oct 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Souterrain

Accessible singing group run by Angela Dennis, Natural Voice Practitioner

Thur 10^th Nov 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Souterrain

Accessible singing group run by Angela Dennis, Natural Voice Practitioner

Sat 12^th Nov 2pm – 4pm

Slack Folk

Free and accessible afternoon folk club. Featuring The Medlars, Triangle, Tilly Roberts, Phil Lyons and The Larks

Sat 12^th Nov 6pm – 10pm

Opening party!

Come and help us wet the baby’s head at Slack Space’s fantastic new property. Music and refreshments. Booking essential colchesterslackers@googlemail.com

Thur 24^th Nov 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Souterrain

Accessible singing group run by Angela Dennis, Natural Voice Practitioner

Mon 5^th Dec

Argentine Tango workshop 8pm - 11pm

Please bring smooth soled shoes

Thur 8^th Dec 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Souterrain

Accessible singing group run by Angela Dennis, Natural Voice Practitioner

Sat 10^th Dec 2pm – 4pm

Slack Folk

Free and accessible afternoon folk club. Featuring The Medlars and special guests

Mon12^th Dec

Argentine Tango workshop 8pm - 11pm

Please bring smooth soled shoes

Mon 19^th Dec

Argentine Tango workshop 8pm - 11pm

Please bring smooth soled shoes

All events are free accessible and held at Slack Space @ Victoria Place, Victoria Place, Eld Lane, Colchester CO1 1LR. Opening hours vary

Call for artists - Open 4

Slack Space is calling for submissions for its fourth Open show. The deadline for submissions is 12 October. Work can be of any media. Slack Space open shows favour artists who live or work in Colchester Borough and have not exhibited in Slack Space before. To apply please send electronic images and details to colchesterslackers@googlemail.com

Call for artists – Graphic illustrations and typography

Call for artists - Light and Dark

World hopscotch record attempt

LACE are enlisting hundreds of participants of all ages in an attempt to set the world record for the most people playing hopscotch in the same place, at the same time in Summer 2012! The world record attempt will be held in Colchester as part of Essex County Council’s major cultural celebration, Sparks will Fly, which is part of the London 2012 Festival.

Hopscotch to Victory is part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad and has been awarded the prestigious Inspire mark. Alongside the world record attempt, LACE have created an educational pack for primary schools focusing on the origins of hopscotch and its uses as an artistic and sporting activity that encourages creativity, physical activity and learning.

For further details or to register your interest in taking part please contact lace@artsadmin.co.uk

Keep Colchester accessible!

Walk Colchester have the opportunity to bid for an award of up to £6k for a BOMA – a very cool all-terrain wheelchair for community use (hopefully to live at High Woods in Colchester where you see it trialled in the video, but also transportable off-site). It’s all down to public vote which is now ‘live’ for ONE MONTH ONLY!!

· You can see the chair in action here: http://youtu.be/rzh3c8zhxG8

· And VOTE HERE: http://communityforce.natwest.com/project/5105

It would be great if you would add your vote and help rally support. You have to register to do so, but it only takes a minute. Please support this great project!

All events and activities at Slack Space are free and accessible.

To unsubscribe please e mail colchesterslackers@googlemail.com

Slack Space Colchester

Fostered by Firstsite

Ground Floor, St James House, Queen St, Colchester CO1 2PQ

Open Wed to Sat 11 – 6

Diary and events: http://theslackdiaries.tumblr.com/

Blog –http://iheartslackspace.blogspot.com

Photos - http://www.flickr.com/photos/colchesterslackers

E mail - colchesterslackers@googlemail.com

Slack Space is a non profit making company limited by guarantee registered in England. Co no 7298471

New Slack Space Town Centre property!

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:13:33 -0400

New Slack Space Town Centre property!

Victoria Place is a fantastic property with excellent exhibition and events space as well as rooms for meetings, workshops and other activities. See you there!

Current activities planned for Victoria Place are as follows:

Thur 27^th Oct 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Souterrain

Accessible singing group run by Angela Dennis, Natural Voice Practitioner

Thur 10^th Nov 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Souterrain

Accessible singing group run by Angela Dennis, Natural Voice Practitioner

Sat 12^th Nov 2pm – 4pm

Slack Folk

Free and accessible afternoon folk club. Featuring The Medlars, Triangle, Tilly Roberts, Phil Lyons and The Larks

Sat 12^th Nov 6pm – 10pm

Opening party!

Come and help us wet the baby’s head at Slack Space’s fantastic new property. Music and refreshments. Booking essential colchesterslackers@googlemail.com

Thur 24^th Nov 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Souterrain

Accessible singing group run by Angela Dennis, Natural Voice Practitioner

Mon 5^th Dec

Argentine Tango workshop 8pm - 11pm

Please bring smooth soled shoes

Thur 8^th Dec 7.30pm – 9.30pm

Souterrain

Accessible singing group run by Angela Dennis, Natural Voice Practitioner

Sat 10^th Dec 2pm – 4pm

Slack Folk

Free and accessible afternoon folk club. Featuring The Medlars and special guests

Mon12^th Dec

Argentine Tango workshop 8pm - 11pm

Please bring smooth soled shoes

Mon 19^th Dec

Argentine Tango workshop 8pm - 11pm

Please bring smooth soled shoes

All events are free accessible and held at Slack Space @ Victoria Place, Victoria Place, Eld Lane, Colchester CO1 1LR. Opening hours vary